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Manchester Man Charged with Physical, Emotional Abuse of Disabled Children

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Manchester Man Charged with Physical, Emotional Abuse of Disabled Children

Posted by David Moran (Editor), July 11, 2013 at 06:34 am

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Matthew Dumont. Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Manchester Police Department

A 46-year old Manchester man is facing several charges of abuse and neglect against three adopted children — including two with autism who lived under the same roof as he and his wife, according to police and court documents.

According to the arrest warrant application obtained from Manchester Superior Court, Matthew Dumont, 46, of Manchester, is facing charges of second-degree breach of peace, risk of injury to a minor and intentional cruelty to persons.

The warrant details a series of alleged abuses committed by Dumont and his wife Melissa Dumont, 44, against three children in the couple's custody. The warrant, which redacts the identities of the juveniles to protect them, states that none of the three children are related to one another, and vary in age from 13 to 17 years of age. Two of the children suffer from Autism and other physical and mental impairments.

Police interviews of Dumont and his wife, the children involved, and several neighbors and family members familiar with the situation determined that "probable cause" existed to charge Dumont for incidents where he allegedly struck and spanked the children, pushed and shoved them, pushed them against walls or countertops or attempted to push them down stairs, locked them in the basement, threw objects at them and screamed and cursed at the children.

Dumont told police that he and his wife "maybe" made "some bad choices" when it came to disciplining their children, but that it was always out of love and never intended to harm the children in anyway. He also told police that he had been unemployed for several years, which is emotionally difficult on him, and he is taking medication to help him better deal with his children. Dumont told police there are times "he can only take so much" from his children.

Dumont was arrested on July 2, 2013, and released from custody on a promise to appear. He is next scheduled to appear in court on the charges on Aug. 19, 2013.

The investigation also led to the arrest of Melissa Dumont on May 25, 2013. She was charged with third-degree assault, risk of a injury to a minor and fourth-degree sexual assault against a victim 16 years old or younger. Melissa Dumont was released on a $25,000 bond and is next scheduled to appear in court on the charges on July 15, 2013.

The youngest child under their care, 13, and the only one who is not disabled, was removed from their custody and placed in foster care. Based on the documents, the current living situation of the couple's two other children were unclear.

2013 Jul 11